Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-11-22
sARNum BURNED OUT.
Wild Aanimals Cremated Horrible
scenes In the MonaGsrtc


wild Aanimals Cremated Horrible
scenes IN the MennEaric
Bridgeport, Conn.,, Nov 20-Ihe main
building OF Barnum and Bailey 9 greatest
show OF Earth vas entirely destroyed by
tire this evening. About 1880 O'Clock
an ALARM was sounded quickly followed
by u general alarm, and thousands of
people Were drawn to the spot. In less
than thirty inmates the big building,
winch MAS 80Ox2UU feet and INC stories
in hIp bit, was entlrely consumed. The
first intimatlon OF the tire was given by
the roaring of the lions and tigers. which
seemed to realI2e the impending danger.
Next the elephants struggled In their
chains. but IN an incredibly short time
the flames swept from M OF the huge
struc nres to the other. There were six
Waterman employed on the premises,
but they were helpless to check the
flames. One OF the men was In the horse
building when his lantern exploded.
.lgnlting the hay and straw. Five of the
watehman have reported. but one is,
missing. The upper portion of the
building was filed with hay and ell the
paraphernaiia of the great show. Before
the first alarm ceased sounding the
whole building was enveloped in fire
and no n dared to approach the build
ing, being fearful of the crazed animals.
Three elephants we're burned up and
thirty-eix broke from their ~fastenings
and dashed through the sides OF the
burning building. Their roars and
trumpetlngs and sounds of torment we're
terrific. Six elephants and . large
African hippopotamus rushed about the
streets presenting q sIckenipg appear
ance. Their sides were burned and
great pieces OF flesh q foot square fell
off. Thirty elephants and one large lion
made their escape and have started off
across the country toward Fairfield and
Easton. Great alarm has seized q great
many residents of the west end and they
have taken refnge within their houses
with windows barred. William Newman,
the elephant trainer, is ont of
TO wn, and the keepers were not able in
he excitement to herd the frightened
animals. In the horse room were ell
the ring animals, framed stations,
the upper room were the tents, poles,
seats, harness, etc. for the entire show,
and these, too, were ali destroyed. In
'AV SSs AOoh WCso u bAlon kAOhAOy6 IA
three rhinoceroses, hyenas, tigers,
lions and all the menagerie, which, fell q
prey to the flames. So rapid did the
flames leap across the man building
that the fireman made no attempt to
save it, but turned their streams npon
the chariot buildings and car sheds
which they euccseded IN saving, but the
treat was 30 intense that this was ac-i
oompiished with the greatest difficulty.
The total loss 10 estimated at $700, 900,
upon which there was but 500, 00U in
surance. Before the building went
down BarDum's agents were busy max
ing arrangements for obtaining q new
lot OF attractions 60 supply the LOGS.
Mr.. Brothwsll, Barnum's Bridgeport
agent, stated that the show building
would be rebuilt, but not in Bridgeport.
The great show would. probably go to
Jersey City, where better railroad
facilities could be had.
The %wstchman making his rounds dis
covered the fire and started to give the
alarm. when some unknown person hit
him on the head with o blunt instrument,
Telling him to the ground and cutting q
number of severe gashes in his head.
he staggered to hIs feet and gave the
alarm. en ablipg the other watchmen in
Ethe building who we're preparing for
bed, TO escape. One of the three ele-
phsnts burned was the fan ous Sacred
White elephant" The lion which the
police attempted to kill al the time the
fire broke ont war afterward found in .
barn devouriBg q COW which be had
killed. He Was shot. The fire is now
ont.